Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company, announced, "It’s official," referring to the return of the John Deere-USEF Memberperks bonus program, which will award a new Gator to the high-scoring adult amateur hunter on the final week of the Atlanta Fall Classics in November. Bell had pitched the idea for rewarding the adult group to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and various committees in late 2005. “I just felt this is a group of exhibitors that so often is overlooked and that...

In their second year of competition, the Global Champions Tour (GCT) has grown in size, prize money and prestige. With over five-million U.S. dollars in prize money and one-and-a-half hours of live television coverage by Eurosport of each €300,000 grand prix, the Global Champions Tour is truly taking the sport of show jumping to the next level. The Global Champions Tour covers three continents and involves eight of the world’s most prestigious independent outdoor show jumping events: Palm Beach...

The Board of Directors of the American Shetland Pony Club announced that they will again offer a $10,000 scholarship to any registered American Shetland Pony who earns the title of Champion Small Pony Hunter at the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals to be hosted in August. “The $10,000 incentive prize was designed to encourage participation and reward success,” explained Zona Schneider, Operations Director of the American Shetland Pony Club Executive Committee. “Today...

The statistics regarding the American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) Sweepstakes nominations and continuing eligibility are encouraging, with increases in numbers across the board. In the Three-Year-Old Sweepstakes, the rise in yearling nominations was a modest 2.58%. However, two-year-olds continuing eligibility rose 30.67% from 150 in 2006 to 196 in 2007, while three-year-olds continuing eligibility increased by 64 from 71 to 135, up 90.14%. In the four-year-old sweepstakes, three-year-old...

Merial, maker of Zimecterin® Gold (ivermectin/praziquantel), announced Jonah Christensen of Salt Lake City, UT, won the grand prize of the Zimecterin Gold Drive Home the Gold giveaway. Christensen will take home a new 2007 FORD® F-250 truck worth approximately $32,000. “We’ve always used and trusted Zimecterin brand products to deworm our horses,” Christensen says. “I plan on continuing to use Zimecterin Gold. It’s always been easy to use and has helped keep my horses healthy.” Christensen uses...

The Executive Board of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has voted to withdraw the proposed Strategic Plan. This plan called for the creation of a U.S. affiliate with a new governance structure and a realignment of the governance for the NRHA as a worldwide association. The Executive Board has determined that to serve the membership needs better, a new plan will be constructed in the near future. Bylaws changes have been submitted to the membership for a vote in June. If the legal...

The Animal Planet television network will televise a special 90-minute broadcast of the 2007 Rolex FEI World CupTM Finals on Saturday, May 12, beginning at 9:00 p.m. (EDT). The telecast will include the finals in both jumping and dressage. Las Vegas, the world’s premier city for exciting entertainment, will once again be the backdrop for the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals in both jumping and dressage when they return to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, April 18-22. In 2005, the FEI World Cup...

The development of a world-class equestrian center is underway in the state of Texas and slated to open in 2009. In November 2006, voters in Dallas, TX, approved the balance of more than $14 million in bonds that would allow the city, as a collaborative partner, to move a step closer to making the Texas Horse Park a reality. Fundraising is now underway by Texas Horse Park, Inc., to match the city’s commitment. Situated on more than 500 acres, the Texas Horse Park will border the 6,000-acre...

The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) announced the payout results of its 2006 Breeders Trust program—a record-setting $1,072,150.82. This figure is more than $28,000 over the previous record amount, set the year before. This will mark the fourth consecutive year that the incentive for registered Paint Horse owners, exhibitors, racers and breeders has topped $1 million. Enrolled horses received $14.72 for every APHA performance, racing or halter point they earned during 2006. “Paints...

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has announced a strategic plan to re-align the NRHA, creating a National Governing Body for reining affiliates and its members in the United States. This new affiliate organization is currently named Reining USA. The worldwide governing body for reining will remain under the name NRHA. This strategic plan, endorsed by the NRHA Executive Board, was presented on February 16, to the attendees of the NRHA Annual Convention in St. Louis, MO. A final vote...